Ride Keenan Ride

[Donson]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMos8-lMskA

Keenan struts His stuff.

[Sir Limpsalot]

At first glance not the most obvious choice of bikes for off roading. Very entertaining though!

[vintagemxr]

Those sprung saddles really got a work out. I'll have to watch for that one on TV and see the whole movie now.

the other Doug

[Bill]

Oh how I remember - those were the days of Suicide Clutch, side shift Harleys, spark advance an a knob on the handle bars to tighten the warble. My bike had the gigantic seat - it would hold the biggest of the rears! I remember trying the hill climbs out side of Lubbock - and falling same as in the vieo! 1952 FLH, Police Sp.

[Damocles]

Just some provenance . . . my Harley-riding partner reported a confirmed sighting of Keenan Wynn astride his bike on southern California roadways, ca. 1960's.

Father. comedian Ed Wynn, might have wondered, "Where did I go wrong?"

Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane, Donson and Bill; Sir Limpsalot, not a great selection of "off-road" bikes in the US, back in them days (movie released in 1953), IIRC.

[Donson]

Bill, I used to live in Lubbock, and We rode dirt bikes on the north side, in some shallow washes, near where Texas Instruments is now. I was riding a Kaw Bighorn, and could not reach the ground with both feet. Kinda like now....:icon_redface:

[Bill]

Prob the same spot
in some shallow washes - I bought the FLH from Nub Stovall BSA .. back in 1959 April, I think - it burned up while riding - seems the gas line vibrated till it broke - gasoline all over me and then it went up in flame, I rebilt it and rode it for a couple more years. I had stripped all the extras off - on running boards , chopped front and rear fender - that saet looked god awful but worked great. The bike was a lot better than my first; a 1937 HD 80 Sringer - flat head.....

[DarthRider]

Cool flick Donson!

[Donson]

Bill, I believe Nub was later the Kawasaki/Yamaha dealer. They were still in business as recently as 3-4 years ago. I went there looking for a ZX-11.

[Deans BMW]

I new Nub well back in '62, he was a big Yamaha dealer back then, I seem to remember riding in the same area as you guys while attending Texas Tech.

[panthercity]

I used to roll my pants up like that...

Thanks, Donson. That was keen!

[Sir Limpsalot]

Hey! Arby, 1953? My history books tell me the Tiger100 was available with high level pipes..

Sorry if my earlier comments were not clear, I have nothing but admiration for those guys. I most certainly would not like to race them!

[Damocles]

Hey! Arby, 1953? My history books tell me the Tiger100 was available with high level pipes..

Assuming you're responding to my comment,
. . . not a great selection of "off-road" bikes in the US, back in them days (movie released in 1953), IIRC.No doubt, more suitable off-road bikes than Harley Hogs existed in 1953, but--few were present in the US at that time.

Further, the guys in the "Code Two"clip were involved in qualifying for police motorcycle assignments, where Harley Hogs (or maybe an Indian or two) were almost universally the steed of choice for that application.

"Army 45's," war-surplus 45-cubic-inch hard-tail spring-seat Harleys miht have been seen more commonly in the boonies than scrambler-configured Triumph Tiger 100's.

A glance at the much-later flick, "On Any Sunday," shows how far off-road motorcycles developed in that short a time; consider the choices available since "On Any Sunday."

I did not read your comment as any put-down or disrespect to Keenan Wynn and his Hollywood riders, Sir Limpsalot; you are quite correct. Even the British twins, like the 500 and 650 cc Triumphs, BSA's, etc., or even better, the AJS/Matchless or Royal Enfield singles, would be a better choice for off-roading than the Harley Hogs in the movie.

[Donson]

Birney used to TT and flat track a rigid Hog with a springer on the front. Not Me, Baby.....

[Sir Limpsalot]

Dam, I'm sorry. Yes I was responding to your post, and with my tongue in cheek too. How on earth did I mistake you for Arby? Why, I wouldn't wish that on any man! My appologies to both you and RB.

[Damocles]

Dam, I'm sorry. Yes I was responding to your post, and with my tongue in cheek too. How on earth did I mistake you for Arby? Why, I wouldn't wish that on any man! My appologies to both you and RB.On the contrary; apologize to Arby only; I'm honored!

[DarthRider]

Here's a pic/history site for anyone wanting old HD pics, from year 1 to more-or-less current. The guy has never heard of Spellcheck or proof-reading and the images are not hi-rez, but there is a LOT of history there.

http://harley-davidson.oldcarandtruckpictures.com/

[Donson]

Thanks, bookmarked that.

[JCsman]

Thanks, bookmarked that.

Me too.